Brisbane’s best suburban bars

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When you’re sick of venturing all the way into town for a night out, these suburban watering holes are sure to hit the spot – without the cab fare.

By Taylare Maddern

Great bars and restaurants are popping up all over the place, and they do exist outside of the inner city. And who doesn’t like a cheaper cab fare, and being able to roll out of bar and into bed in under 10 minutes? Here are some of the best bars in the suburbs for the next time you feel like a beverage closer to home

Hyde Out Bar, Yeronga

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all week, as well as newspapers, milk and bakery bread to the locals, the Hyde Out Bar is best visited on a Sunday afternoon when you can relax to the sounds of live music while you sip on local wines and beers on tap. If you’re going with a group (or you’re just extra thirsty), order the cocktail jugs with a scoop of lime sorbet, yum!

Shop 1, 92 Hyde Road, Yeronga
P 3161 4332

Beach House, Garden City

All shiny and new again after the big revamp, Beach House faces the water fountain with a choice of inside or outside seating, conveniently located just outside of Westfield Garden City. Whether you’re settling in for a steak and beer, or just stopping in for a cocktail before a movie, it’s a great location on the Southside for a relaxed afternoon-night.

Elysium, Victoria Point

Looking over the man-made lake, Elysium serves up food and beverages all throughout the week, but is busiest on the weekends when the tables are cleared and the disco ball comes out. Cheap drinks and ideal location for those living in Redlands City, it’s a go-to stop for a night out closer to home.

Carindale Hotel, Carindale

Not exactly the most picturesque location, but The Carindale Hotel boasts large seating areas, great food (the pizzas are a must-try), and an ample bar to satisfy your wine-o’clock craving on a Friday afternoon or after a day of shopping with the gals.

Westfield Shopping Centre, 1151 Creek Rd Carindale
P 3324 6200

Gypsies Wagon, Gaythorne

Created by the same owners of next-door-neighbour Hansel and Gretel Espresso Bar – Steve and Corrine – Gypsies Wagon is an explosion of Latin American flavour. Serving up Argentinian wines and cocktails, and meals to match. You’re never going to want to leave after experiencing the home-y relaxed feel of this Northern suburbs establishment.

3/281 Pickering St, Gaythorne
P 3161 6763

The Junk Bar, Ashgrove

This den-style, hole-in-the-wall bar is super popular among the locals who love the calm vibe of Junk that you just don’t get in the city. With service as good as their beer and cocktail menu you’ll want to visit The Junk Bar even if you don’t live in the area.

215 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove
P 3168 2993

Canvas, Woolloongabba

Perfectly suited to its location among the antique district of The Gabba, Canvas (pictured) serves up a range of cocktails, boutique beers and wines, and even absinthe, to take you to late into the night without having to cross the river. Its outdoor deck also provides an alternative to the trending ‘rooftop’ bar scenario, with the same cooling effect.

16 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
P 3891 2111

The Scratch Bar, Milton

For beer lovers only, owners Ben Nichols, Kieran Ryan and Patrick Shevlin have hand picked a range of delicious brews from Down Under and the rest of the globe that you won’t see in many other establishments. With an aim to educate you on more than just a XXXX, Scratch is the place to go for a quality beer and cheese plate to boot.

Shop 8/1 Park Road, Milton
P 3107 9901

Southside Tea Room, Morningside

With its newly acquired liquor license, The Southside Tea Room is now serving adult-friendly beverages in its back drinking den which carries on the vintage charm from the coffee nook that made this establishment famous. It also boasts a pin-ball machine, whoopee pies, iced vovos and chocolate-coated pretzels to take you back to your childhood while you sip on their great selection of beers, ciders and token cocktail, ‘Southside’.

639 Wynnum Road, Morningside
P 3899 5859

The Retro Bar, Kenmore

Like stepping into the 1960s, The Retro Bar is exactly that, decorated completely with retro and vintage furniture and styling. With a cocktail and martini menu to match, this bar isn’t just a place for a tipple or two, they also host regular trivia and music events.
2071 Moggill Road, Kenmore
P 3378 1209

The Walrus Club, Toowong

With a completely different vibe to its upstairs neighbour – The Regatta – stepping into The Walrus Club is like going back in time. With its rustic décor of leather and exposed brick and menu of classic cocktails and rums fit for even the biggest alcohol know-it-all, it’s a suburban watering hole that’s sure to make it far into the 21st century.

543 Coronation Drive, Toowong

Phoenix Bar, Bracken Ridge

With “an experience that was once only found in the City”, Phoenix Bar’s multiple “cages” and “nests” provide little alcoves and seating areas where you can relax outside and enjoy their designer cocktails and premium wines. They’re open late Tuesday – Sunday, and Wednesday night is Wing Night, you can’t go past that.

154 Barrett Street, Bracken Ridge
P 3269 7011

Oxford Taphouse, Bulimba

Specialising in Australian craft beers, Oxford Taphouse is the ideal place to take a group for casual drinks and share plates. With a True Blue theme all round, even their food menu is inspired by local produce with dishes like Tasmanian Pernod mussels. If by Sunday you’re in need of the hair of the dog, they offer a number of new twists on the classic Bloody Mary.

77 Oxford Street, Bulimba
P 3399 9559

The Bounty, Rosalie

The newest venture of Esquire’s Cameron Murchison, this restaurant and bar serves great nosh all day long, but if it’s a beverage you’re after, The Bounty is open until midnight every night. A great place to head to after dark to indulge in wine, cocktails and bar snacks, but that still gets you home early enough to catch that beauty sleep.

Shop 6, 165 Baroona Road, Rosalie
P 3368 1201

The Lower Bar at The Grove, Ashgrove

Downstairs, away from the more family orientated main dining area of The Grove, is The Lower Bar. The bar opens out onto the timber deck beer garden where you can get comfortable and sample their large range of beers and cocktails until your heart is content.

225 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove
P 3366 1670

Timber Cabin, Stones Corner

This two-for-one establishment is both bar and coffee house, making it a one stop shop for your day to night needs. When the sun goes down (Thursday – Sunday) the live music starts at the Timber Cabin and the share plates and great cocktails start flowing.

360 Logan Road, Stones Corner
P 3847 6773

Merthyr Bowls, New Farm

Merthyr Bowls Club doesn’t just boast an awesome view of the river, it’s also home to some great food and cold beverages for a more laid-back style of a Sunday session. You don’t have to play bowls either, but really… Why not?

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